GERILYN FEUSTEL

Gerilyn Feustel was born in Seattle and though taking a few art related classes in high school never began the study of art until later when her husband's career took them to Japan.  While there, she met one of Japan's leading impressionists and was fortunate to study with him. Earlier in his life when Japan was at war with China he fled to Paris to work with the artists who founded impressionism. That style of painting took root with Geri and you can see it in her work today. Later Geri had the opportunity to attend classes in Rome, Italy where she worked mostly in figure and portrait painting for an additional 3 years. She is also a graduate of the Famous Artist School of Connecticut.

Geri and her husband retired in the Hagerman Valley  of Idaho where the beauty of the environment was a force to make her pick up the brushes and paint the surrounding flora and fauna.  At that time Betsy and Luther Douglas were the well known operators of the America House located at the famous Sun Valley Lodge. Luther Douglas was also an artist working with the Arizona Indians in the technique of sand painting, and transferring that knowledge to the Blackfoot Indians of Idaho. Geri and a friend were dining at the Lodge when Betsy noticed one of the paintings Geri had and asked if she might attempt to sell it. Before lunch was over the painting was sold and the beginning of a long successful business relationship followed. From that venue, many paintings were sold to actors and astronauts.
Geri stayed with the America House for over 3 years and when Luther died, Betsy lost her lease  and the famous America House was no longer.

Connections happened at that time which enabled many very important opportunities. Her paintings have hung at the original Ambercrombie and Fitch of New York and have sold world wide.

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When her husband died, Geri laid down her brushes and did not paint for 10 years. Which now she regrets the lost time. Painting full time now and trying to catch up, which she says can never happen, new classes in the medium of encaustic and challenging styles are reenergizing. Painting in 5 mediums and tending toward larger canvases and styles is enough to keep her going.

Geri lives in Boise and is looking forward to the emerging art scene and excitement happening in art!